Chapter 5.2A: To sit under a tree

Trade Era 1235, Day 159, 10:34 AM - Local time.

Solaris, Verdura's atmosphere, Zyronis system
The Solaris descended gracefully through the wispy clouds that veiled the azure skies of Verdura. Jil, at the helm, guided the sleek starship with practiced ease, her hands deftly manipulating the controls as she navigated through the planet's atmosphere. Hank stood at her side, while Mariella, Emily, Mercer, and Peter were in the passenger seats, their eyes fixed on the mesmerizing sight unfolding below them.

As they broke through the cloud cover, the Celestial Gate sprawled beneath them, a bustling nexus of activity amidst verdant landscapes. Though starships dotted the sky, it was the swarm of flyers and the constant flow of gravcars and gravtrains that gave the starport its lively appearance.

"Wow," Mariella breathed, her gaze darting from one end of the starport to the other. "It's even more magnificent than I imagined."



Jil guided the Solaris towards a designated landing pad, expertly maneuvering the ship amidst the sea of incoming and outgoing vehicles. As they descended towards the landing zone, the intricate carvings adorning the structures of the Celestial Gate came into sharper focus, depicting celestial beings and mythical creatures from Chinese folklore. With a soft thud, the Solaris touched down on the landing pad, its engines humming contentedly as they powered down. Jil released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, her shoulders relaxing as she leaned back in her seat.

But their journey was far from over. Stepping out onto the landing pad, they approached a small duracreet building of sturdy construction. Inside, customs and border control checkpoints awaited. After a few minutes, they found themselves in a modest space filled with a line of people awaiting inspection. At the head of the line stood Inspector Lin Xia, her stern demeanor softened by a hint of curiosity as she scrutinized each traveler.

"Welcome to the Celestial Gate," Lin Xia greeted them, "Are you here for business or pleasure"?

Business brings us, but there's no better place to do it. Visiting the Celestial Gate is always a pleasure. Mercer smiles at the inspector.

Hank follows up with a smile, "Mostly business, but hopefully some of both. Where do we go to register for trading?"

Lin Xia returns Mercer's smile with a nod of acknowledgment before addressing Hank's inquiry. "You're in the right place," she replies, her tone businesslike yet welcoming. "You can register for trading right here with me. Simply provide me with the necessary documentation, and I'll ensure everything is processed efficiently."

Handing over their identification documents and Celestial Voyager permits, they watched as Lin Xia meticulously examined the documents, her keen eye ensuring everything was in order. After a thorough inspection, she nodded in approval, returning the paperwork.

"Your documentation appears to be in order," Lin Xia announced, her voice firm but fair. "You may proceed"

With her permission, they passed through the customs and immigration checkpoint, emerging into the bustling heart of the starport. As they navigated through the crowds of travelers, Mariella felt a surge of excitement building within her. They had arrived at Meixian, marking the beginning of their latest adventure.

Okey Doke!

Pulling the lever ... watching the wheels spin ...

I will trade my clothes (consumer goods?) for credit for this transaction. Should be worth 1000+ some, either my trade or Hanks.
Will be rolling Talk to assist for both.
If we do the starfire citrus Mercer will go in on split cost of a ton, if Hank is willing, if not I will buy what I can of Bliss Blossom.

Morgan knows that all the negotiations and bargaining talks going on right beside him are going straight over his head, but when hearing the value he gets interested.

"Hank, I’m also interested in getting in on the action, remind me what’s the going freight value for 1ton in the Celestial Voyager again please"

If the the prices are ok he will buy 1 ton of Starfire Citrus, I assume he would have needed to register as an Importer. He will wait until all the other negotiations are done until doing his own.

The amount of funds we have is 45K. Hank is reticent to use all of it because we might need some petty cash for any fees both here and on Zyronis Prime. He wants to keep a reasonable reserve (and I am not sure what that would constitute) and use the rest of buy as much
Starfire Citrus as they can. So, if only 5K is a reasonable reserve, he'll get 40 tons. If 10K is the needed reserve, he'll get 35 tons. But he wants to get absolutely as much as he can. We only need to get to Zyronis Prime before we get paid for our freight, so 5K is probably sufficient. (If he could have, he would have bought the whole 89 tons.)

Depending on the complexity of the situation, Hank is willing to buy everything as one big transaction, and just have everyone pay into the reserve when we get back to the ship. If for paperwork reasons we need the transactions to be separate, then we will have them be separate. He is more than willing to do whatever works best.

1 ton

.
This seems like the best plan.

---

Mercer will buy a few tons. To be determined by a Talk with Xiao Chen about a loan.
After that He also plans to mention that there is more that Xiao Chen can purchase, that the Celestial Voyager would be willing to transport, for market price, to Zyronis. and Mercer would sell on his behalf for a small fee (something like 5% of the gross profit depending on how the Trade/Talk roll goes).
I will mention these plans to Hank, together an OK for potential transporting deal.

The CV will not do a loan, but will gladly move any freight that Mr Chen wishes to pay transport for.

Mercer nods to the StellarGrove trader they are working with.
I apologize, but if you would excuse me a moment I would like to contact an astute businessman who, I believe, would love to buy some of your Starfire Citrus. Assuming he gets an ok, Mercer will step out or head to whatever room is appropriate to make a holocall t o Xiao Chen.

---

From the holovid display comes the image of a young, suspicious looking man. A new assistant? I can't remember meeting this one. Please get Mr. Xiao Chen. Tell him it's Mercer Furio. I helped with both the Naprodium and the Cinderberry wine shipments. Tell him I would like to help him make some good money.

After a brief wait, the hologram shifted, revealing the imposing figure of Xiao Chen, the notorious mafia boss known for his shrewd business acumen and ruthless tactics.

"Mercer Furio," Chen's voice rumbled through the holocomm, his eyes narrowing as he studied Mercer. "What brings you to call upon me today?"

Mercer straightened his posture, meeting Chen's gaze with unwavering confidence. "I have a lucrative opportunity that I believe would interest you," he began, choosing his words carefully. "I've established a connection with a StellarGrove trader who possesses a shipment of Starfire Citrus, a rare and highly sought-after commodity. With your network and resources, I believe we can turn this into a profitable venture for both of us."

Chen listened intently while Mercer told him the details of his proposal. The mafia boss kept his expression inscrutable as he weighed Mercer's proposition.

Mercer knew he had to tread carefully. Chen was not one to be trifled with, and any negotiation with him required finesse and strategic maneuvering.

"I need guarantees before a loan," Chen replied evenly. "Are you willing to offer collateral worth more than the value of the loan or a favor of my choosing right now? Breaking legs in another planet... I mean, collecting debts in another planet... That is very expensive and I don't wanna do that unnecessarily."

"As you know, I am still an up-and-coming trader, with little assets to my name. I have a blaster and rifle, and some armor that I don't think you want to take it I am invested in protecting your assets.
I will be getting paid 300 credits when I finish my current delivery job to Zyronis, just so you know there is some risk mitigation.
However, we both know that to grow a business sometimes requires some amount of risk. Even though, the value I am working with is less than what you would be, the risk is relatively greater for me. The profit can be greater for you though.
Plus I would be working as security for your shipment for free, a job I am being paid a half thousand for, plus assets. As well, you know that the sellers fee I am offering is already lower than what you normally pay, so your profit would be even greater."

"No collateral and no favors, no loan. Your word is not enough in my line of business. Remember that you contacted me, not the other way around. Now you are wasting my time, Mr. Mercer..." - said Chen, with a threatening gesture.

"I would hope that bringing you the opportunity to make such profits, with reduced overhead as I am helping minimize sellers fees and protection costs would count for something. But if it is not I would be happy to offer a favor to you, but I'm not sure the value. We will only be on planet for a couple days before my contract takes me to Zyronis.
If you have something in mind that I can help you with within that time, I would be happy to help you though "

After a tense pause, Chen's gravelly voice echoed through the holocomm. "Now we are talking. I have a small favor to ask of you."

Mercer tensed, his mind racing with possibilities. He knew that any favor requested by Chen would likely come with significant consequences. Nevertheless, he maintained his composure and nodded in acknowledgment.

Chen leaned forward, his expression unreadable. "There's a man I need you to take with you to Zyronis," he explained, his tone measured. "He's in a bit of trouble with the authorities here on Verdura, and he needs to lay low for a while. Unfortunately, he doesn't have the necessary permits to leave the planet."

Mercer's mind raced as he processed Chen's request. Taking an undocumented passenger off-world was a very risky endeavor, one that could potentially draw unwanted attention from law enforcement.

Mercer paused, obviously doing social calculations in his head. "May I know this person's name?" He said, in a thinly veiled attempt to.fill the space as he tried to make a plan.

"Marr. John Marr. Maybe you've met his brother Sylas. Sylas is an important person in Draco, one of the leaders of the Ironsides"

"The Ironsides certainly quite the ... Influential group. I, of course, would be happy to help... Your friend.... Find passage to Zyronis. However I am not in control of the ship I am currently traveling with," (Mercer and I assume Xiao can find this info easily enough, and is not realky hiding it) and they seem to be reticent to tempt disapproval by the authorities. I could come up with some reasoning for them to be more willing.
Also, If you asked me to transport a shipping crate or container for you, and I forgot to ask very specifically what was inside... Maybe if all I knew was that it had 'non-hazardoud biological material and various gasses'. Well...

"Indeed, I think that you can do me that favor. Just facilitate and provide security for 3 tons of freight with 198 lbs of fragile non-hazardous biological material within and I can loan you up to 1,000 credits if you pay me a small interest rate of 220% per day." - answered Mr. Chen.

Mr. Chen, I am surprised, after trying to help you multiple times today, and doing this favor for you, you attack me with this interest rate? I thought you didn't want to waste time, and yet you put me in this position?

"Those are my standard rates. Okay, how about I pay for the favor. Standard freight rates for the ship and 1,000 credits for your security and facilitation?"

Mercer flashed a big smile. How wonderfully reasonable. It is a pleasure doing business with you.
Once the product is sold I will immediately transfer you your earnings. I assume the offplanet-transfer information is still the same?

"Yes, it is. Let's keep in touch, and I will put you in contact with Ian. He is from Zyronis, has a cargo lighter and a container to lend and can facilitate stuff in the Celestial Gate. You will probably have to Sneak inside with a small tampering device or Talk your way through customs. This is his contact. "

After checking the details and a final plesantry, Mercer ends the call so Xiao can move on to other business.
Entering back in to the area where Hank, Peter and the StellarGrove representative are. Great News! More business all around. I'll be getting another ton of produce. Also, if you want the business Hank, we will get 5 more tons on behalf of my client to transport.Let me just send you both the details you need.

"As long as everything is above-board, we have the room to spare for a little more freight."

Make multiple trips? Mercer will volunteer to stay on ground and ensure cargo security.
(and make sure the extra container goes on last, and is stored out of the way)

Honestly, yeah, we're likely looking at multiple trips.

"Mercer don’t you want me to stay back with you? A bit of extra security for the cargo while we load it"

Peter is not trying to give him a hard time, just genuinely doesn’t know about the "extra cargo" and trying to be helpful.

"If you want, I just assumed we'd want to get everything loaded and unloaded as fast as possible so we can get to the hospital sooner."

"I can help after all security officer includes securing our cargo, unless Hank need help with the ship."

Morgan has a small smile and is trying to be friendly with his new crew, specially trying to rise up to his new job title, since in the military he was more used to direct orders than more autonomy.

As he returned to finalize the deal with the StellarGrove trader, Mercer couldn't shake the feeling that he was walking into a situation fraught with danger and uncertainty. But if it meant securing a larger Starfire Citrus deal and earning both Chen's and the Ironsides’ favor, Mercer was willing to take the risk.

With the deal brokered and Xiao Chen's favor secured, Mercer returned to the customs building to oversee the arrival of the first Starfire Citrus crates. The StellarGrove trader had not disappointed, and soon enough, the first shipment with 10 tons of crates arrived, each one filled to the brim with the precious fruit.

Under the watchful eye of Inspector Lin Xia, the crates were unloaded from the StellarGrove flyer and brought into the customs building for inspection. Lin Xia scrutinized each crate meticulously, ensuring that they contained nothing but the fruits.

After inspection, the cargo was loaded and Jil took off.

In total, a single round trip on the Solaris, with the help of everyone but Emily, took over 2 hours. There were 4 more trips left.

In the meantime, Emily was making some calls and looking for her brother in Meixian. She promised Hank that she would tell him if she found any clues. Although Hank wanted to help, he had a lot of paperwork to fill out and a team to coordinate. He left her alone, even more so after she told him emphatically that she would not return to orbit, especially since in doing so she would be risking a crazy law from this planet preventing her from returning.

---

As Mercer made his way back to the customs building to unload the next lot of Citrus, his holo-communicator buzzed with an incoming message. With a quick glance, he saw that it was from Ian, one of Xiao Chen's associates. Mercer's heart quickened, knowing that this message could hold important information regarding their arrangement.

Opening the message, Mercer read Ian's words carefully:

"Mercer, the freight will be ready in 6 hours. Meet us at the starport's docks as planned. Make sure you have everything in order for departure. Chen is expecting results."

It would be enough time to make it on the last outbound trip.

---

Hours later, 3 loads had already cleared customs and departed for the Celestial Voyager with Jil and Mariella aboard the shuttle. In orbit, the synth helped them quickly unload. In the meantime, Hank, Peter and Mercer prepared the next lot planet side. Peter even helped and exerted himself by carrying the bulk of those lots.

---

It was already late and everyone was tired. They were eating something while waiting for the Solaris to land. Discreetly looking at his datapad, Mercer excused himself and went to the docks.

A couple of minutes later, he stood in the designated location at the spaceport dock, his gaze fixed on the large box before him. It was significantly larger than a coffin, its seal gleaming under the artificial lights of the starport.

As Ian approached, Mercer couldn't help but feel a sense of unease settle over him. The urgency in Ian's demeanor and his tone was palpable. "This is the cargo you'll be delivering to the Ironsides in Zyronis," he explained, gesturing towards the sealed box. "It's perishable, Mercer. It needs to be delivered as soon as possible. You can see in this display how much time you have left. After 5 days, no matter what, he will wake up. You don't wanna that."

Mercer's brow furrowed in concern as he processed Ian's words. "Perishable" cargo was always a cause for concern, especially when the consequences of its "spoiling" could be dire.

"Anyway, a mutual friend told me to give you this. It's very specific and only really works in Verdura, but it is perfect for what you need." - continued Ian.

He gave Mercer a remote scrambler that could interfere with the bio scanners used by Verdura's police force. They wouldn't detect a person being transported as cargo. The only caveat was that its range was very short. Mercer would have to Sneak and stay close to the freight during the inspection and, to be completely sure, until they reached orbit.

Considering Emily's concern, Hank will stay behind as the last load goes up.

"I'm going to stay and find out how Emily's search is going. You all need to go get some rest, and then you can decided whether you want to come back or stay on the starport. I'll radio up when we find out the resolution to Emily's situation. I'll get a room down here for the night."

No matter what, Jil and Mercer have to return. If Mariella and/or Peter want to stay, they can, too.

Once the last of the fruit is loaded (likely just before Mercer shows up), he will wander off to check on Emily and the results of her research. After tracking her down, he asks, "How is the search going?"

Merceris going to wait until everyone is away, maybe when Peter is making a perimeter check and others are talking, to move the crate in with the last load. He will offer to help load the last group, being sure to keep the extra box shuffled where it isn't easily noticable.
Knowing that tiredness and everyone assuming they know what's going on will help veil his activity. If people aren't feeling suspicious they don't tend to see anything suspicious.He is willing to come back down after if they still need help finding Emily's brother.

Mercer is able to sneak the extra box together with the Citrus, without Peter noticing it.

"Now for the customs officer..." - he thinks

Peter has his mind occupied elsewhere, besides focusing on doing the perimeter sweep (he wouldn’t really suspect one of our own crew), he has been given a brief explanation about the search for the brother from Emily and Hank.

"I would be more than willing to come back and help with the searches after the last load, I know first hand how deep a brother/sister connection goes, and I really want to help anyway I can."

If it was someone he knew better Morgan would offer a hug, but he settles in just giving a firm handshake. After mentioning her own sister Peter mind is taken elsewhere and he isn’t really able to notice anything

As he made his way back to the customs building, Mercer pocketed the scrambler and steeled himself for the task ahead, his steps cautious and deliberate. With a quick glance around to ensure no one was watching, he entered the restricted area where the cargo was inspected.

As Inspector Lin Xia approached, Mercer activated the remote scrambler, his fingers trembling slightly with anticipation. The device emitted a faint signal, interfering with the bio scanners used by Verdura's authorities.

Lin Xia eyed the box with a practiced gaze, her scrutiny thorough but seemingly unaffected by any suspicions. Mercer held his breath, his heart racing as he watched her inspect the cargo.To his relief, Lin Xia's inspection yielded no indication that there was anyone concealed inside the box. With a nod of approval, she motioned for a colleague and the crates were released.

As Mercer made his way back to the Solaris passenger area, a sense of excitement coursed through him. With the successful evasion of the authorities and the clandestine loading of the concealed cargo, he allowed himself to indulge in dreams of the future. He imagined the thousands of credits that would soon fill his coffers, the rewards of his daring venture.

Hank's brows furrow for a moment. That does not sound particularly good.

"It will probably start out better if we ask for answers first.

"The others and the shuttle have left. Mariella mentioned something about maybe not getting to come back if we leave, so it will probably work out best if we stay the night here. Hopefully accommodations are not too expensive. We might want to do a little necessities shopping, too.

"Do you think we can get into the conference?"

If Mercer hears about the conference the next day he will be willing to stay at a coffee shop or whatever nearby if they want someone nearby. He will now do everything he can to help speed things along help Dr. Emily Hard find her brother.If there are tickets for sale for a reasonable price Mercer will go along if it seems like he is welcome.

After regaining his thoughts, Hank says, "What are you going to do if Mei Lin doesn't know or won't say? Considering where he was working, if something is wrong, they are going to make it very, very hard to find out."

Hank pausing for a bit, he continues, "I apologize if I am being too pushy. You only contracted for us to bring you here, so we can be done if you'd prefer. However," Hank adds in a smile, "you have not formally quit yet, so as long as you want the help, I am willing to provide it. In fact, Peter and Mercer seem to be interested in helping, too, if you want. But it is best if it is help you want, not help you are forced to take."

Before leaving, Peter asked Emily if she wanted help. She gladly accepted, so he promised to come back in the next day. Mercer also offered help, talking to her from orbit.

---

So, in the next day, Peter and Mercer found themselves again awaiting inspection in the customs building. At the head of the line stood Inspector Lin Xia, her demeanor stern as usual.

"Welcome to the Celestial Gate," Lin Xia greeted them, as she always does, "Are you here for business or pleasure"?

Absolutely Hank stays if there is risk to return.

Once he is in his room, he also calls in to the Captain to let her know where he is and what he is doing.

Mercer smiles at her as she asks, but then looks thoughtfulI don't know if I'd call it pleasure, but we are here to help a friend in a personal matter.

Focusing on the future is very tiring, so after expending too much effort, too quickly, Hank goes to sleep until the next day.

Lin Xia's brow furrowed slightly in recognition as she studied Mercer and Peter more closely. It didn't take long for her to remember their previous encounter, the details of which were likely etched into her memory.

"Ah, I remember you two," Lin Xia remarked, her tone softening slightly. "You were here just yesterday, weren't you?"

Mercer nodded in confirmation, his expression earnest. He explained that today's visit was unrelated to their previous business and that they were back to help a friend with personal matters.

Lin Xia's gaze lingered on them for a moment longer, her scrutiny unyielding yet not unfriendly. She checked their documentation. "Very well," she said finally, satisfied with their responses. "You may proceed."

Emily and Hank made their way through the bustling streets of Meixian towards the conference center, their steps quickened by a sense of anticipation and resolve.

As they entered the building, Emily couldn't help but feel a surge of apprehension. The hallways were abuzz with activity, filled with researchers and medical professionals from around the world. Hank remained by her side, offering a reassuring presence amidst the sea of unfamiliar faces.

Meanwhile, Peter and Mercer sat in a nearby coffee shop, their eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of trouble. They were unable to get tickets, so they had decided to keep a close eye and wait from a distance, ready to intervene if the situation called for it.

In the conference center, Emily and Hank navigated through the maze of corridors until they reached the main auditorium, where Mei Lin was scheduled to deliver her keynote address. Emily took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever lies ahead.

As Mei Lin took the stage, Emily's gaze remained fixed on her, her eyes burning with intensity. She watched as Mei Lin spoke with confidence and authority, her words captivating the audience. As the presentation concluded, Emily approached Mei Lin, her heart pounding in her chest. Hank stood beside her, his presence lending her strength.

"Good morning, Doctor Lin," Emily began, her voice steady despite the turmoil raging within her. "My name is Emily Hart and I need to speak with you about my brother, Robert. He was working under you at the Verdura Medical Research Institute, and he's gone missing. Do you have any information about him?"

Mei Lin's expression remained unreadable as she regarded Emily with a cool detachment. "I'm sorry to hear about your brother, Emily. But I'm afraid I can't help you. My work keeps me quite busy, and I'm not privy to the details of every employee's whereabouts."

"But he reported directly to you!" - Emily replied.

Mei hesitated for a moment before responding, her tone measured. "There were rumors of strange occurrences, but nothing concrete. Our priority at the Institute is always the safety and well-being of our staff. If your brother encountered any trouble, I assure you, it was not at the behest of the Institute or during his working hours. We don't know where he is."

Hank had a strong déjà vu at that last comment from Dr. Lin.

Knowing the situation can only deteriorate, Hank whisper to Emily, "You have gotten all you're going to get out of her. We need to pull back and regroup. You won't find your brother if you are in jail!" He attempts to make sure his lips are blocked from Dr. Lin's view. He is simultaneously trying to guide her away from the confrontation.

Emily ignores Hank's advice. How could he know? She has to try.

"Please, where is my brother!? I need to go where he worked, I can help!" - she almost shouted

"I've already told you, Miss Hart," Mei Lin snapped, her voice laced with irritation. "And I cannot simply allow you to barge into our research facility. There are protocols in place for a reason, we deal with viruses and biological material, and I will not compromise the integrity of our work."

Emily's frustration bubbled to the surface, her voice tinged with desperation. "But Robert is my brother! He's missing, and he was working under your supervision. I need to know what happened to him."

Mei Lin's expression hardened, her jaw set in defiance. "I sympathize with your situation, but I cannot make exceptions. If you have concerns about your brother, I suggest you contact the authorities. They will handle the matter appropriately."

"Emily, let's go," Hank said, his voice firm but gentle as he placed a reassuring hand on her arm and started to pull her away.

Emily turned to him, her eyes blazing with a mixture of anger and disappointment. "But Hank, we can't just let her off the hook! Robert is out there somewhere!"

Hank shook his head, his gaze unwavering. He whispered "I know, Emily. But pushing her further won't get us anywhere. We need to regroup and figure out our next move."

Reluctantly, Emily nodded, realizing the wisdom in Hank's words. With a heavy heart, she allowed him to guide her out of the auditorium and back into the streets, until they reached the quaint coffee shop where Peter and Mercer were waiting.

As they settled into a corner booth with Peter and Mercer, Hank could see the tension slowly begin to ease from Emily's shoulders.

Once they are situated in the corner booth, Hank fills the other two in on the encounter with Dr. Lin.

To Emily, he says, "Honestly, she has a good point on contacting the authorities. You should probably make a missing persons report on your brother, just to make sure something official is on the record. On the other hand, I don't think it will actually help any, if she was the one to suggest it. Something fishy is going on, but I am clueless on where to look next."

Looking at the other two, "Any suggestions on where to look next?"

The information you really need, Emily, is who he knew at the outpost, who he chatted with, where he was last seen. . But that all means going to the outpost, and that will take some time.. But I don't know what we can get done here, before the Celestial Voyager needs to move on. ..

Hank says, "Let's at least get a few things going. Emily, do you have a recent picture of your brother? Let's go ahead and file the missing person report. Also, I want to make sure that he used the name 'Robert Hart'. I need to get access to a terminal to run some searches for him."

"Im not sure if he was completely locked in the resource facility but we could also ask around in the closest restaurants and hotels, maybe someone will recognize his picture?"

"Well, we," Hank points to Emily and himself, "are pretty much banned from the facility, anyway."

Hank tapped away on his dataslab, his fingers moving with practiced efficiency as he programmed and initiated a comprehensive search for any information regarding Robert Hart. The screen flickered to life, displaying a myriad of search options as he delved deeper into the digital realm.

As he sifted through news reports, obituaries, and public police records, his heart sank with each fruitless click.

But just as he was about to give up hope, a glimmer of promise caught his eye. A headline flashed across the screen, drawing his attention with its tantalizing possibility: "Colleague of Missing Scientist Files Official Report with Authorities."

With a renewed sense of determination, Hank clicked on the article from a small journal in a remote village near the medical research outpost, his heart pounding in anticipation. As the details unfolded before him, he felt a surge of relief mingled with apprehension.

According to the report, a colleague of Robert's had indeed filed a missing person report with the authorities two weeks ago. The colleague's name was Dr. Peng Qing, a fellow researcher at the Verdura Medical Research Institute. He had become concerned when Robert failed to show up for work for several days without explanation, prompting him to take action and alert the authorities to Robert's disappearance.

Hank's mind raced as he processed the information, his thoughts swirling with a myriad of possibilities. If Dr. Qing had filed a missing person report, it meant that Robert's disappearance was being taken seriously by the authorities. But it also raised more questions than answers. Why hadn't Emily been informed about the report? And why was there still no sign of Robert after two weeks?

With a sense of urgency, Hank continued his search, digging deeper into the digital archives in search of any additional clues. And as his program scanned through image after image, he finally came across a photograph of Robert Hart, his features frozen in a moment of time, a silent testament to the mystery that now engulfed him. There was no denying the familial resemblance—the same nose, the same hair, the same determined set to the jaw.



"Yes! That's my brother." - said Emiliy.

Hank didn't access restricted police records since that's obviously illegal, even though he probably had the skills to do so.

Does Hank find any contact information for Dr. Qing? We might wanna give that a shot immediately. After that attempt, we should have contact information for the local police department. Might as well give them a ring, too. In both cases, Emily has to do the talking, since she is the near relative. We might as well make the two call attempts. We need to do Dr. Qing first and immediately, before Dr. Lin bans us overtly.

Hank depending on the order of things, Hank will message the Captain to see if she has any local contacts in the authorities on this world. Probably not, but he'll check.

Emily's fingers trembled slightly as she dialed the number for the local police department, her heart pounding in her chest with each ring. The line clicked, and a voice answered on the other end.

"Meixian Police Department, how may I assist you?" the voice inquired.

Emily took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation ahead. "Hello, my name is Emily Hart. I'm calling to inquire about a missing person report that was filed recently."

"Of course, ma'am," the officer replied, his tone professional. "Do you have any information about the missing person in question?"

"Yes, his name is Robert Hart," Emily replied, her voice steady despite the underlying tension. "He's my brother, and I believe a colleague of his, Dr. Peng Qing, filed the report with your department."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before the officer spoke again. "I see. Let me check our records for you, ma'am. Can you hold for a moment?"

Emily nodded, her heart racing as she waited anxiously for the officer to return with information about her brother. Every passing second felt like an eternity, each moment filled with uncertainty and fear.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the officer returned to the line. "Yes, ma'am, we do have a missing person report on file for a Robert Hart. It was filed by Dr. Peng Qing two weeks ago in Lóngyùn Cūn."

Located amidst the mist-covered mountains of the south continent, Lóngyùn Cūn is known for its serene beauty and traditional charm. Despite its remote location, the village is home to a close-knit community where neighbors look out for one another.

Within the tranquil surroundings of Lóngyùn Cūn lies the local police station, a modest yet efficient hub of law enforcement.

"Thank you," she replied, her voice filled with gratitude. "Is there any additional information you can provide about the case?"

The officer hesitated for a moment before responding. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but I'm afraid I can't divulge any further details over the phone. However, if you would like to come down here or another police station and provide your documentation and proof of your identity, we can discuss the matter in person."

Emily nodded, understanding the protocol. "Thank you."

Hank does a quick look-up of the closest police station. He sees that there is a small annex-style station only three blocks away and says, "Here. There appears to be a police station annex only three blocks away. Let's go over there and see if we can get more information from there. You should be able to provide your credentials there and we can try to get the rest of the information they have."On the way over, Hank says to the group, "If we can't get all or any of the information, I would contemplate hacking their system to find it, but to do that, I need physical access to a dataline or something like that. Basically, I'd need to be able to attach a 'slice' to a data line or get access to a slab or terminal. I doubt those will have any easy access. Keep your eyes open for an opportunity like that if we can't get good information from them in the conversation."

With Hank leading the way, the group set off towards the police station, the brisk pace of their footsteps echoing in the quiet streets of Meixian. Peter and Mercer walked alongside Emily, offering silent support as they made their way.

Upon entering the station, they were greeted by a uniformed officer behind the front desk. Emily stepped forward, her voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in her stomach. "My name is Emily Hart. The missing person is my brother, Robert Hart. I believe a report was filed by Dr. Peng Qing."

The officer furrowed his brow in thought before checking the database on his computer. After a moment, he looked up with a apologetic expression. "I'm sorry, Ms. Hart, but it appears we didn't have your contact information on file. Dr. Peng Qing did file a report for your brother two weeks ago, but we were unable to reach any family members at the time."

Emily's heart sank at the realization. She had been so caught up in her own search that she hadn't even considered the possibility that the authorities might not have her contact information.

"Is there anything else you can tell us about the report?" Hank asked, his voice calm yet insistent.

The officer nodded, sympathetic to their plight. "I can provide you with a copy of the report and any other information we have on file. Please, follow me."

---

A couple of minutes later, the officer cleared his throat before beginning to read from the report. "According to Dr. Peng Qing's statement, Robert Hart failed to show up for work on the Monday following the weekend. Dr. Qing became concerned when Robert did not respond to calls or messages, and he informed the authorities when Robert had not returned to work by the end of the week."

Emily's brows furrowed as she listened intently, absorbing every detail. She couldn't help but feel a pang of worry at the thought of her brother missing for an entire week without anyone noticing.

The officer continued, "Dr. Qing mentioned that the last he heard from Robert was when he had left the outpost where they worked and lived, located in the forest, and had taken a gravcar to Lóngyùn Cūn in the mountains. However, there was no further communication from Robert after that."

"Is there anything else in the report?" Emily asked, her voice tinged with urgency.

The officer shook his head. "I'm afraid that's all the information we have at the moment. But I can provide you with a copy of the report, as well as any updates that come in regarding the investigation. Please leave your contact information."

While the officer talks, Hank will listen, but also pull up Lóngyùn Cūn on the dataslab to see where it is and how close it is to the lab and so forth. Hank will ask, "Has anyone gone to Lóngyùn Cūn to see what can be found? Would there be anything wrong with us going there to ask around?"

"This report is from the police station there, weeks ago, when Dr. Qing filled his missing person report. It's out of Meixian's jurisdiction, so I don't know about local conditions." - answered the police officer.

Hank also sees in his dataslab that the Verdura Medical Research Institute (VMRI) Outpost Omega-7, where Robert used to work, is a remote facility situated amidst the lush forests of Verdura's countryside. It comprises prefabricated buildings arranged around a central courtyard serving as a helipad. Equipped with modern medical facilities, living quarters and research laboratories, the outpost is dedicated to studying and treating diseases prevalent on Verdura. The nearest village is indeed Lóngyùn Cūn, 45 minutes from the outpost using a gravcar, less using a flyer or other transportation methods.

Mercer is going to listen to the concerns of the group and Emily, and then step away to make some calls, and them probably spelled the rest of the day into the evening or however long until the next morning trying to make contact with someone that may be invested in Emily's survival, someone who would like the Ventura Medical Research Facility looked into and possibly put under scrutiny, starting with those that first reported the dissapearance, then other reporters, and then going to contact any other rivals of Ventura Medical.
He will be tactful and soft when determining intent and interest, but try to create a small network for safety of Emily and anyone in it.

Hank says, "Well let's see if we can go visit Lóngyùn Cūn ..."

Unless something else needs done, they head over to where the Solaris is and head out.

After seeing all of Emily efforts on trying to get info from the officer turn out not as good, Morgan will try to call the officer aside and have a quick talk.

"Hello officer, I know you can’t go letting out that kind of classified info to anyone out of the blue, but isn’t there anything you can do to help someone on the force?"

Morgan will quickly show a navy insignia and really hope the officer has served at some point.

"It would really help us to at least know who would know more about our missing friend"

Giving an emphasis on those words Morgan will try to use his telepathy powers to see if it evoked any emotions on the officer or even a word that might lead to a clue.

"I see you served but you're not in the Navy anymore. In any case, sir, we do not investigate matters from other regions. It is outside our jurisdiction and recent laws make it a very serious violation to ignore it." - replied the policeman.

Peter senses that the officer is bothered by the word jurisdiction but is conformed with how things are now and feels its above his pay grade to try to fix it.

As the shuttle traversed the sky, Mercer pondered their next moves. Emily's concerns resonated deeply with him, and he was determined to help her uncover the truth behind the mysterious events surrounding the dissapearance of her brother. With a sense of urgency, he decided to reach out to Diana Fu, a seasoned journalist with an online reputation for fearlessly pursuing the truth. However, Mercer knew he couldn't contact her directly without a credible reason, as he didn't have a prior relationship with her.

Then, a memory sparked in Mercer's mind. Slaine Rowan, a mutual acquaintance who had mentioned Diana in passing during a conversation months ago. Though Slaine wasn't in the system, Mercer knew he had to take a chance. With a flicker of hope, he decided to use Slaine's name as a connection.

Dialing Diana's number, Mercer took a deep breath as the call connected. "Ms. Fu, my name is Mercer Furio," he began, his voice tinged with urgency. "I hope I'm not catching you at a bad time, but I need your help with something crucial. I'm Slaine Rowan's friend."

There was a moment of silence on the other end, then Diana's voice came through, cautious but intrigued. "Go on," she prompted.

Mercer wasted no time in explaining the situation, detailing the events related to Robert and the suspicions surrounding the Ventura Medical Research Facility. He emphasized Slaine's connection to both Diana and himself, hoping it would lend credibility to his plea for assistance.

"Diana, Slaine trusted you, and I trust they," Mercer continued, his tone earnest. "I believe you're the key to uncovering the truth about what's really happening."

There was a pause, during which Mercer held his breath, waiting for Diana's response. Finally, she spoke, her voice soft yet determined. "I'll help you, Mercer. For Slaine's sake."

Relief flooded through Mercer as he thanked Diana profusely. With her onboard, they had a chance at unraveling the mysteries surrounding the research facility and ensuring Emily's safety.

Next, Diana suggested contacting Dr. Jintao, the local doctor from Lóngyùn Cūn. With a renewed sense of purpose, Mercer reached out to the doctor, hoping to enlist his aid in their quest for the truth. Unfortunately, he didn't answer his comms. In fact, Diana told him a couple of minutes later, no one she knew in the village was answering.

---

The shuttle glided gracefully through the lush embrace of Verdura's verdant landscapes, its engines humming softly as it approached the village. Jil, the pilot, guided the craft with precision, her gaze fixed on the unfolding scene below. Through the windows, Hank, her co-pilot, and Peter, Mercer and Emily, seated behind them, observed in awe as a network of warden AIs and advanced automated systems stood vigilant, ever watchful over the planet.

But as soon as they left Meixian-controlled airspace and had visual contact with the village, they were contacted by one of the warden AIs. A voice, clearly synthesized yet eerily human, crackled over the speakers. "We are implementing quarantine protocols in response to a suspected outbreak. All residents are being relocated to centralized facilities for observation and treatment under the guidance of the Verdura's warden systems. Please leave immediately. "

In Lóngyùn Cūn, uniformed officers moved with purpose, their actions orchestrated by the silent directives of the AI guardians. Clad in pristine white protective coveralls that gleamed under the late afternoon sun, they ushered the villagers into waiting automated shuttles with remarkable efficiency. Mercer and Peter exchanged worried glances as they watched the scene unfold.

"Leave immediately." - transmitted the AI, one more time.

Afraid they were going to be shot, Jil banked away from the village. She couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled over her. Below them, Verdura's robots worked tirelessly, their automated systems constructing makeshift medical facilities with astonishing speed. The crew watched in silent awe as the sprawling network of tents and prefabricated structures took shape, a testament to the technological marvels hidden within the verdant landscapes of Verdura.

"Look at that," Emily murmured, pointing out the window. "It's as if the very planet is rising to meet the challenge. I need to go there."

Hank responds to the communication, "We have a trained medical professional who wishes to help. Will you allow her to help?" Before the answer is given, Hank says to Mercer, "You need to tell you reporter contact what is going on immediately. She's gonna want to know about this irrespective of anything else. They have an outbreak. This is could be extremely bad."

"Yes. Land, let her come on foot and get on one of the automated shuttles". - answered the AI.

Emily shivers but nods with her head.

Mercer makes a call to Diana Fu, We just reached Lóngyùn Cūn. There's a quarantine being enforced by an AI. We haven't seen anyone yet but it seems... Surprising. Does anyone there know there is a quarantine, a supposed outbreak? We should have been warned before departing. Mercer paused before continuing, trying to make sure Diana Fu is fully following what he is saying.
It could be some sort of coverup, I've seen it before, but... There is a Verdura Medical Research Institute Virology Lab here at at the VMRI Outpost Omega-7.

Hank calls back to the AI, "Who are the humans in charge of this operation? I wish to speak with the humans in charge."

Hanks turns to Emily, "Something smells wrong here. Where are the humans in charge? Something isn't adding up. I want to talk to a human before letting you off."

Diana listened intently as Mercer relayed the unusual situation unfolding in Lóngyùn Cūn, her mind racing with possibilities. This was unexpected, to say the least.

"Absolutely not. This is huge! Breaking news! I need a drone to record this... No, I will get a satellite! Yes, a satellite! James must let me use that image satellite he has!" - she was very excited now - "I'll start making some calls to see what I can find out, Mercer. I'll get to the bottom of this! Stay safe, and keep me updated on any developments. Bye!"

Ending the call, Diana wasted no time in springing into action.

---

"They died many decades ago, no other worthy leader has emerged since. As warden AIs, we have been following our mission since them, silently protecting the planet from orbital bombardments, unauthorized landings, illegal departures, and Class 5 epidemics. The current situation demands our intervention. If left unchecked, our calculations predict this could end human life. Let the medical professional willing to help come now and you should inform your warden AI about what happened. 10 days of quarantine are recommended for anyone who remains in the region. Leave immediately. "

We make one big circuit around the area so we can fully record what is going on. Hank wants to make sure there is visual evidence of what is going on so that they can't easily be accused of being liars. We also make sure the communications have been fully recorded. Then we leave.

To Emily: "I am very sorry, but I will not let you off here. You would be evacuated into one of the shuttles and effectively become one of those quarantined. If this is a real outbreak, you would become one of those affected. If this is a coverup, you'd disappear. It's a lost game either way. I know you are even more worried about your brother, but you getting killed here will not help him."

Hank contacts flight control. "We were not permitted to land at Lóngyùn Cūn. There is a quarantine being implemented just as we arrived. There are no humans in control of this operation. It is all being run by AI. We request a replacement flight plan that takes us back to our ship at the station."

On the way back, Hank will look up decontamination protocols for the shuttle. If we have to decontaminate at the station before going back to the ship, he absolutely will.

Hank remembers that Zyronis, the system capital, was once a monument to prosperity and ambition. Its labyrinthine structures stretched downward through multiple levels, a testament to the ingenuity of its first inhabitants. But now, only a mere million souls wander its desolate streets, haunted by the ghostly silence left behind by a catastrophic event.

Neptunia, a world covered entirely by liquid water, was home to the genetically modified Thalassans. Their ability to breathe underwater allowed for the construction of vast cities atop floating platforms. Yet, some unknown calamity befell this once-thriving colony, leaving behind only whispers of its existence beneath the waves.

Amidst this tapestry of loss, for centuries, Verdura was a beacon of hope and resilience. It blooms with verdant fields and bustling agricultural communities. Yet, amidst its bounty, a silent guardian always watched over its lands: the warden AIs. Hundreds of networked turrets, robots and automated vehicles play a crucial role in the daily operations, assisting in cultivation, harvesting, logistics and defense of the planet. Considered benign by the population, those Artificial Intelligences are recently called Virtual Intelligences (VIs) by the scholars, to differentiate this advanced and sentient-seeming AIs from the lesser expert systems and bots.

While the fate of Zyronis and Neptunia remains shrouded in mystery, after his recent conversation, Hank believes that Verdura's preservation can likely be attributed to the unwavering dedication of these VI systems.

Mercer will try

Hank turns to face her, motioning to everyone else to not do anything. With his hands out in a non-threatening manner. He speaks in a calm, level voice, looking directly into her eyes. "I can't do that. Think! If we put you down now, and this is all a real quarantine, then you will be unnecessarily risking all of our lives, in addition to your own. You will be a prisoner of the quarantine; you will not be helping anyone. You will be trapped and unable to communicate with anyone else. And if this is not a real quarantine, then you would be walking to your death. You aren't going to be able to help your brother if you are trapped within the quarantine or if you are dead.

"I understand that you feel this is the closest you've gotten to your brother and you don't want to lose that. I really do understand. I fully intended to let you go. But that was before the Warden AI told us that this is an extinction-level danger and that you would become a prisoner."

He pauses to see her reaction. Again, he is not worried even if she is pointing the gun at him because it should be unloaded right now.

OK, here's the roll for Talk.

Also, if needed, Hank will use Intuitive Response to at least make sure the Talk happens before she can fully wield her weapon.

Wow! That's as good as I could have hoped for! Let's hope it is good enough!

As she does not have her gun loaded yet Peter will also try to restrain her or at least grab her gun, but without raising his own.

Emily's grip tightened on the unloaded pistol, her resolve unwavering. "I have to try," she insisted, desperation lacing her words.

Before Hank could respond again, Emily moved toward the ship's controls, her gun trained on him. "I just want to talk to the Warden," she pleaded, her voice trembling with emotion.

But before she could reach the controls, Peter, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, sprang into action. With swift, practiced movements, he disarmed Emily, pinning her arms behind her back with ease.

Emily struggled against his grip, her eyes wild with panic. "Let me go! I have to stay!" she cried, her voice echoing with desperation.

Hank approached her slowly, his expression filled with sympathy. "I'm sorry, Emily," he said softly.

As Mercer and Peter escorted Emily back to her seat, the tension in the shuttle hung thick in the air. Hank glanced at Jil, silently communicating the need to leave before the situation escalated further. He contacted flight control.
"Acknowledged, Solaris. Leave the atmosphere immediately. Planetary Defense Forces and Ministry of Health teams are inbound. This is now a restricted area. Here is your new flight plan. Please confirm."

With a heavy heart, Jil confirmed and guided the shuttle away from the village, leaving behind the mysteries of Lóngyùn Cūn and the unanswered questions that lingered in the verdant landscape of Verdura.

---

Decontamination procedures at the station only took a few extra minutes. Jil activated the closed cycle of the ship's atmosphere as soon as she heard the word quarantine from the AI. Better safe than sorry, she thought, so a simple decontamination in the station and the vacuum of space took care of the rest.

After that, the Solaris docked into the repaired CV's shuttle bay. Immediately, Emily grabbed her things and left the Celestial Voyager sobbing. The crew has not heard from her since.

Hank makes sure she has a wide berth as she leaves. No reason to make things worse.

Once she leaves, he asks Mercer to ask the reporter to look after her. There is nothing more the CV crew can do for her. He also discretely gives Mercer a copy of the recordings they made of the visuals and what the AI was saying. Unofficially, of course.

He thanks Jil for her quick actions on the shuttle and commends her for closing the atmosphere. It was the correct response and Hank appreciates that she did it.

He will ask the captain to talk privately to make sure he did things correctly. He doesn't think there were any good solutions, but he wants to talk through it anyway.

Hank is ready to go now. He wants to be far away from this planet. He regrets that such a beautiful world will now always just be a bad memory for him.

Mercer sends a message to Diana Fu,
We got blocked from entering Lóngyùn Cūn. Emily is upset about not being able to charge in and find answers. She is determined to get them, don't let her ruin the investigation for fast action. She will be motivated for answers though, together you will find them.
PS. The recording is shared under the table. Use what you can but don't post it.

---

Mercer then sends a message to Emily.
Here is contact info for Diana Fu. She will help you get answers.
Remember, sometimes charging in is not the fastest way to get answers. Getting yourself killed never is.
Stay safe.

---

Mercer sighs after sending both messages and looks up. "I guess we did what we can. Emily should be better of than if she came here without us."

Hank says, "Thank you for the help with all of this. I know she is in a better position due to our help, but that unfortunately doesn't mean it gets to end the way I'd have preferred."

---

Hank thanks Jil for her quick thinking. "Thank you for isolating the environment on the shuttle back there! That was quick thinking and very much appreciated. I'm just sad it had to end that poorly."

---

Hank says to Valeria, "I keep feeling like if I had done things in a different manner, things could have worked out better. But I honestly don't know what I could have done to change the situation."

Diana Fu thanks Mercer for the contact and the recording. She promises to help Emily and take care.

---

Emily received the message from Mercer but didn't reply. He hopes that someday she will see how you just tried to help and protect her.

---

Jil just nods and smiles. She mentions something like she just did her duty and then doesn't want to talk much about it.

---

Valeria asks Hank what he regrets and what he thinks could have been different, in an ideal world. She was also curious about what the experience of dealing with a V.I. was like for Hank.

In his conversation with Valeria, Hank replies, "What I regret is ruining our relationship with Emily. I tried to help her in her search, but in the end I feel I just made it worse. But that's where the problem is: I don't know what I could have done to make it work out better. At the end, the only thing I could have done is let her off, but I couldn't do that. It would have risked our lives and almost assuredly resulted in her death. I don't regret making that decision. I do regret how it turned out."

He sits silent for a few moments. "I guess sometimes it just doesn't work out regardless of what you try to do."

Regarding the V.I., "It was a bit unnerving to see a whole synchronized process become engaged and then realize that not only was there no humans controlling the process, but no humans initiated the process in the first place. It was purely automated and it acted on a huge scale. It was very impressive. But that was my perspective outside the system. I can't imagine how terrifying it would be for anyone forced into quarantine."